The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the 16 Rivers State lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress acted within their rights, citing the party’s internal divisions.
Speaking with journalists on Friday after inspecting an interchange project linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi and Gwarimpa in Abuja, Wike described the mass defection—led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule—as “unfortunate” but constitutionally permissible.
Amaewhule and 15 others had announced their switch to the APC during plenary, blaming PDP factional crises and pledging to support the President.
Wike noted that although the lawmakers did not inform him beforehand, their decision was allowed under the Constitution when a party is factionalised. He added that about 10 lawmakers remain in the PDP, and his camp would continue working with them.
